Business News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: thebftonline.comCocoa value chain experts have called on the government to review existing cocoa policies that classify cocoa beans as an export commodity, making it difficult for locals to get access to the beans for value addition. Vice President, Cocoa Value Addition Artisans Association of Ghana (COVAAGH), Dela Kuekey Austine, stated that the cocoa industry is a multi-billion-dollar sector worldwide, with Ghana being recognized as the second-largest producer of cocoa. To buttress her point, she emphasized that the prospects associated with cocoa are numerous and do not necessarily require sophisticated technology to transform cocoa beans or powder into a delicacy or product that can sale locally and even gain international attention. Furthermore, she outlined the several prospects in handcrafted cocoa and chocolate products making that the youth must explore in their entrepreneurship endeavours to create jobs and be economically empowered. He called on the education minister to consider including such a program in the curriculum to provide the Ghanaian youth with basic knowledge in the sector.

Source: GhanaWeb August 16, 2021 09:56 UTC